Roving Teen Reporter: Gaining From Giving Back

Every year, millions of students begin their college application process, filling out boxes detailing their accomplishments, awards, and activities. Buried in that list is the section many view as just another requirement for their academic resume: volunteer work. But taking time to give back does far more than check a box. It offers teenagers a break from academic pressure, widens their perspective on the world around them and reminds them of the everyday privileges they often take for granted.

For many teens, volunteering gives them the opportunity to explore future career paths while simultaneously bringing a smile to others’ faces. Working in a local hospital introduces students to the responsibilities of a healthcare provider. Caring for animals at shelters or clinics exposes aspiring veterinarians to the different aspects  and demands of that profession. Volunteering at a department at a local food bank can help students learn accounting and leadership skills, while working with underprivileged children in a foreign country can prepare students for jobs such as teaching or social work.  Regardless of how or where students choose to give back, volunteering builds critical life skills including communication, time management and problem-solving.

Volunteering can also offer an important break from the constant demands of school and extracurriculars. When students step into a service-role, their attention shifts from their own deadlines and obligations to thinking about how they can make the lives of others better. That focus breaks the cycle of academic stress and offers students a sense of purpose.

In addition, volunteering gives students the opportunity to make new friends, as they meet individuals who share some of the same passions and hopes for the future. When students decide to take a leap of faith and volunteer somewhere they’ve never been before, immersed in a culture they’re not familiar with, it provides them the opportunity to bond with people  they may have never met otherwise. Volunteering allows students to learn how to bridge cultural differences in an effort to share their experiences with others, which can result in simply a growth in self confidence, or even the formation of lifelong friendships based on shared values and experiences.

Perhaps most importantly, volunteer work cultivates gratitude. When students see the challenges others face, within their own communities or on a larger scale, they gain a deeper appreciation for all they have. This shift in perspective can lead to an opportunity to see the world through a more empathetic lens.

So while many students view volunteering as simply a box to check when it comes to college applications, the practice of giving back to others can be deeply impactful – offering a chance to explore interests, relieve stress and develop a deeper sense of purpose. All while making a difference in the lives of others.